New Orleans -
Oil giant BP Plc has agreed to pay nearly $19 billion in penalties to U.S. and state agencies to resolve claims still outstanding from a 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 11 and ravaged the southern U.S. coastline.

London -
The U.K. government is pushing ahead with its badger culls throughout England. However, in Wales, where there is devolved government, the authorities are administering vaccinations instead. The difference is about responding to the risk of tuberculosis.

Yellowstone Park was the scene of another bison encounter on Tuesday, when an Australian tourist got way too close to a bison and ended up being tossed. He was lucky, unlike the young lady mauled to death by a lion while on safari in Africa.

Singapore -
Singapore authorities seized the biggest illegal shipment of ivory and other exotic animal parts in more than a decade Tuesday, with the haul from Kenya worth an estimated Sg$8 million ($6 million).

Scientists assert that global warming is causing a mass die-off of moose, which are acclimated to colder climates. Rising temperatures are leading to a variety of health problems, including the increased spread of parasites and diseases.

Climate change in Central America is affecting wildlife in profound ways, but few places have been as seriously affected as Guatemala's Laguna Del Tigre National Park which suffered a devastating wildfire as the result of an El Niño in 1998.

Bejing -
An endangered tiger set free in Russia has killed 18 Chinese goats after crossing the frontier, with Beijing's state media saying on Wednesday that the feline felon had been freed by President Vladimir Putin.

Johanesburg -
A record 1,020 rhinos have been poached in South Africa this year, the government said Thursday, scuppering multiple efforts by authorities to curb the slaughter of the endangered species.

Johannesburg -
Thousands marched in Africa and around the world to pressure governments to do more to stop the poaching industry that many fear is driving rhinos and elephants to the brink of extinction.

Dhaka -
Thirteen countries with wild tiger populations agreed Tuesday to take part in a global count to establish how many of the critically endangered big cats are left and improve policies to protect them.

Boston -
City officials brought in goats to clean up large patches of poison ivy scattered about Hyde Park. According to reports the animals are fast, clean and efficient in removing these and are not hurt by the ivy at all.

West Lafayette -
Veterans deal with post-war integration in many ways. Veteran Darin Welker handled it by taking care of 14 ducks which he used for therapeutic purposes. After a citation he worries his animals will be taken away.

Vancouver -
Two bears broke in to a West Vancouver home on Tuesday morning searching for food. Police were called to the home and shooed the bears away. One of the bears returned later that day and was shot and killed.